The Informative Missive Published by PUBLIC COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Editorial:          Why No Outrage?

    “But why there is no outrage?” Asked a diplomat of an important western country when recently during her visit to the valley, she was apprised by the editor about the unabated human rights violations including the enforced disappearances. What she meant by outrage was probably why people are accepting the excesses without any agitation, why people are not coming to the streets to protest against the atrocities inflicted upon them. And when people in other societies have shown strength in panic. Why it is lacking here? The western diplomat comes from a culture where human life has a value and where the civil society is very active, a country where the mother whose son got killed by a drunk truck driver and the lone woman founded the organization called Mothers Against Truck Drivers (MATD), which is now a known world wide organization.

    Not only this diplomat, but there are other people who have complained to editor about the callous indifference of Kashmiris inter see and towards some important and sensitive issues. A noted Human Rights lawyer Nandita Haksar who along with other prominent citizens of India have constituted a committee for the protection S. A. R. Geelani, a lecturer in Delhi University convicted in the Parliament attack case under POTA, had recently come to valley to garner support for fighting Geelani’s case but left the valley disgustedly when she did not receive the expected response here from the Bar Association and other members of the Civil Society. Another lady lawyer voluntarily contesting the case of a Kashmiri convicted in Parliament attack also expressed her dismal over the indifference and insensitivity of Kashmiris towards the accused.

    Way back in the beginning of the conflict in 1989, whenever there was any custodial or extra judicial killing, people took to streets to protest against the atrocities and expressed their sensitivities towards the victim. Even there were frequent strikes over the excesses, but with the passage of time, when it became common, as is the human nature the people became insensitive & indifferent towards the daily routine killings and started accepting them as a fait accompli. In the early nineties, a journalist or Human Right monitoring groups from outside had to travel to particular place to see the victims. But know every thing is happening on the next door where they are staying. There is hardly any family or a place, which has not got affected by the ongoing violence. In the society there is general acceptance of the brutalization by the state & non-state actors. There are families who have lost four or five members and they hardly protest. Already the culture of submission was prevailing in Kashmir in the pre-conflict days and now they have been further subjugated, the submission is the out come of fear and ignorance. Fear successfully used as weapon of war by the state and non-state actors. People due to fear are not agitating against atrocities so that the surviving family members should be safe and secure. Ignorance is the outcome of the lack of the education; due to lack of education people are ignorant of their rights. Poverty is the worst form of Human Right violation, and it is always the ignorant, and down trodden section of society who are deprived of their human rights as awareness and consciousness of rights comes through education. And the so-called elite class who at other places have led the movements lack initiative to do so here owing to certain factors like power, position and the middle class syndrome.

    There is callous indifference also because of increasing pessimism and distrust in the society. As one lawyer observed if 80,000 people have been killed by the Indian state, how it will effect if the convicts of Parliament attack are also hanged. Therefore a collective action plan with short, medium and long-term basis is needed, this is an uphill task. There are no short cuts. Otherwise, with all the repression, people are bound to accept the unabated human rights violations without offering any resistance. Without this Kashmir is not bound to have its day of Bastille.

NOTED SINGER OF THE VALLEY DIES IN MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

    In mysterious circumstances, Ghulam Nabi Sheikh, a noted singer of the valley breathed his last. If reports of Punjab police are to be believed, they found a body on railway tracks and when it was not identified, they cremated it. The body was believed to be of the noted Kashmiri singer Ghulam Nabi Sheikh. Accompanied by his daughter Huma and a family friend they were traveling in Shalimar express from Jammu to Delhi where Huma had to appear in Viva for a berth in Mass communication & Journalism, Jamia Millia, New Delhi, when en-route Sheikh went missing and next day Punjab Police claimed to have recovered his body from railway tracks. The incident created a storm in the valley, which forced the government to pressurize Punjab government to order a probe into the incident. Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Syed visited the family and assured them of immediate enquiry.

    The Informative Missive met the bereaved family and spoke to Huma Sheikh who was a witness to the episode. Revealing the details Huma said. “We left Srinagar on 13th July, by taxi and at about 4:45 pm, we reached Jammu. Since the train to Delhi was scheduled to leave at 8:45 Pm, we spend that time at papa’s friend’s house, Ram Krishan Kichloo. Our family friend Jawaharlal Lal Suroor also accompanied us from Jammu. The three of us boarded the train Shalimar express at 8:30. At 10:30 Pm we had dinner and later went to sleep at 11:00 Pm. We were sleeping on berths; the upper occupied by papa, the middle one by me and the third one by Jawaharlal uncle. At around 11:30 Pm, I felt thirsty, and I woke up, as I got up I saw my father was not on his berth, I woke uncle up and told him that papa was missing he told me, not to worry as he might have gone to bathroom, he gave me some water to drink and told me to sleep, but when after half an hour my father was still missing, I became anxious and again told uncle, he went around to see him in bath room, by the time word spread around. A BSF personnel who was in the same compartment told us not to worry. He said that may be your father got down somewhere at one of the station and missed the train, and he will catch the next train Jhelum Express.

    Almost two hours passed and there was no sign of papa, worried I continued to search for him. I saw two nervous looking police man come, and they asked me, “aapka admission ho gaya.”(You got the admission). I was taken aback how did they know about my plans? and then they asked me, “where is the man who was accompanying you last time.? Then I remembered an incident, a fortnight ago when I had to take up my written examination, I was traveling in the same train along with my father and Jawahar uncle. Both the policemen were on duty that day also. My father had a minor row with them over smoking, he wanted to smoke, but the policeman from General Railway Police (GRP) said smoking was not allowed in train. There was a heated argument and finally Uncle gave them some money and the matter was resolved but at the time of leaving they said” we won’t leave you.”

    But I was surprised that time we never told them that we were going for admission, so how did they come to know about it? A question, which creeps in my mind again and again. Any way as we reached Delhi we waited for another train, but dad was not in that train either. All his luggage and money was with me, so where could he go. Anxious I called my mamu (maternal uncle) who works in CID in Delhi and told him about papa. He came with his wife to pick me up from the railway station. Meanwhile my mamu made extensive efforts to trace him. He spoke to DIG Farooq Khan. On 14th July he got a call from a photographer who said he had a photograph of a dead body, which according to him was papa’s. When my mama saw the photo, it was completely disfigured and beyond recognition. The Punjab Police maintained that papa had fallen from the train and on same day (14th July) they cremated him. Finally, the Punjab Police handed a pair of chappals (sandals), which were not the ones papa was wearing and a khan dress, which was his with bloodstains and a ring. They said that they had found the body on railway tracks, and when it was not claimed, they cremated it.

    According to Huma and family sources, Jawahar is absconding, “he never turned up, nor showed his face, is this humanity? We are not accusing him but he did not even bother to come here and express solidarity” says a visibly upset Arsalaan, Huma’s brother in an emotional outburst. Huma adds, “we don’t know what has happened, Jawaharlal uncle was a trustworthy man, but who knows, there are so many uncertainties.”

    Now the family wants justice, they want that culpable should be identified immediately and punished severely, “we don’t want that any other Kashmiri should suffer, the way we have, we want action against those found guilty.” For the family the whole thing has been like a nightmare, which they would not like to forget in leisure.

    The chief minister, Mufti Mohd Syed, has visited the family and promised to look into the matter immediately. Meanwhile according to reports, two ASI of Punjab Police have been suspended and also the doctor who conducted the post mortem, but the family says they got no post mortem report so how can they believe it was ever conducted.

    “We have become helpless, he was the only earning member in the family, my three children are studying. I am a housewife, who will look after them? Nobody can take his place,” says Sheikh’s wife.
The mystery is intriguing and till any evidence is found, it continues and for now unfolding of the whole drama seems a far-fetched idea.

    The whole incident has been condemned in the valley and all Kashmiris have demanded that an immediate inquiry and results be made public as soon as possible. This incident has once again confounded the fears regarding vulnerability of Kashmiri within the state and not to mention outside Kashmir.

THREE YOUTH KILLED AND LABELED AS FOREIGN MERCENARIES

    On 9th June three youths from Machhoua decided to take a journey of fun but would have never possibly imagined that this journey would be the last one with death as their final destination. Nazir Ahmad Elahi (driver by profession) s/o Ghulam Ahmed Elahi, Mushtaq Ahmad Shiekh (painter) s/o Ghulam Rasool Shiekh and Tasaduq Ahmad Wani (bus conductor), all residents of Machhuo Bagh Mehtab. The trio left home on 9th June 03, never to return again.

When they did not return, anxious the family started their search.
    The family members first contacted the official of the BSF Kani Pora, the officer of the camp denied having arrested such boys. The family members were even prepared to pay 50,000 if informed about their whereabouts. The officer once told the relatives that out of three one of the boy is alive but after some days he advised them not to waste their money & time in pursuing the search of their kin as they were no more. According to the statement of the uncle of one of the boys who refused to be identified stated that some how they came to know that three bodies have been buried in Ganderbal. After thirty days few relatives visited the Gandarbal police station where they confirmed that three bodies have been buried which were handed over to them by 24 RR. The photographs taken by police of the dead bodies were beyond recognition & not helpful. According to the local people including a STD owner the army had thrown these dead bodies in a ground after the divisional officer of Kangan refused to receive them, saying the area, which they belonged to did not fall into their jurisdiction. The people of the area had protested when they saw the mutilated dead bodies being dragged on the ground after they were killed. These dead bodies were finally recovered by the Ganderbal police station after 24 RR filed an FIR in which they have alleged that in an encounter they had killed three foreign mercenaries and also claimed to have recovered huge arms and ammunitions. The families were still in dilemma whether the body was of their dear ones. Finally a large number of delegations succeeded in getting order from district officer to disinter the bodies, which was granted and after exhuming one body the close relatives recognized the body. The family members did not dare to open the other 2 graves or shifting the bodies to their ancestral grave because of the conditions of the dead bodies was such they decided to let them be buried there. FIR has been filed in this case. The relatives are shocked and still thinking the reason behind their killings, as they say the three were not even remotely related to militant activities nor they were arrested before. Unlike other incidents these custodial deaths were not much publicized with the result that the government didn’t order any ministerial inquiry into these killings. The family members feel that there is no sense in taking any legal action, as they believe that no body has the powers to punish the omnipotent army, which is above the law.

KASHMIRI BOY ARRESTED FOR HAVING ROOM HEATER

Languishing in jail for past 3 years

    This is a story of a Kashmiri youth who was arrested for possessing a room heater and is languishing in a Bihar jail for the last 3 years.

    Eighteen-year-old Shabir Ahmad Bhat of Kralkhud, Barbarshah, Sathu, in Srinagar was working as a leather artisan in Nepal and was returning home when he was arrested on June 17, 2000. He was traveling in a bus, near Panchayat Bhawan on Sitamari-Muzaffarpur road, the bus was stopped during routine check and Shabir along with another boy Iftikhar Ahmad was arrested. Their offence, they were carrying a halogen room heater worth four thousand rupees.

    For Shabir’s family the nightmare started when he called them to inform them that he was leaving Nepal and would reach home soon, but the wait seemed endless as days turned into months. Worried the family started looking for him, they called his work place upteem times but the only reply they got was that he has left this place.

    The family was not aware of his arrest and his subsequent imprisonment. They didn’t know whether he was alive or dead. After a traumatic wait for a year and half, the family sent Shabir’s elder sister and brother to Nepal and after extensive efforts the family came to know about Shabir’s arrest and his imprisonment. They rushed to Bihar and met him in the jail. Though they have met him thrice in Bihar jail. But the family does not have a sound financial background and these trips have drained their meager financial resources. They don’t have money to pay for his bail and Shabir continues to languish in jail.

    Case like this would not have caught any body’s attention; it was only when a renowned journalist of valley wrote about the family in a reputed newspaper on July 16 did the case come to limelight. After the article was published in the newspaper the family has been flocked by visitors from press and investigators. The family has met Mehbooba Mufti and she has given them assurance of his immediate release. Mean while Shabir’s family is happy that their case has been publicized and they are hopeful that justice will be done soon. Shabir’s father, 65, is a retired government driver and who is suffering from serious heart ailment, says, “I had kept money for my daughter’s marriage, but we spend it on Shabir’s search but I am happy that we found him. I want to see my son, but my poor health and financial conditions do no permit such luxury”

    Shabir’s mother is hopeful that he will be out soon.” My son is innocent, even the J&K police too conducted an investigation to check his antecedents and they found him innocent. We asked them to check out everything, as he is innocent. He was charged for carrying room heater, is that a offence, at the time of his arrest they had asked for Rs. 5000 which he did not have with him but later we paid that amount but still he is in jail.

    According to the report published in Indian Express, “according to senior officer in Sitamarhi who wishes to remain anonymous Bhat was charged under various section of explosive act, a detonator covered by plastic wires, a hand set Mm trans receiver and certain documents were found inside the heater. According to inspector custom, Subhash Prasad the value of room heater was Rs. 4000 and says that the duo were arrested for violation of government of India ministry finance notification No 9 cus/96 dated 22-1-96.”

    But both the custom officials and police now insist that no one is willing to come on record that Bhat was found guilty of concealing explosives inside the heater. A fact not recorded in the case file. DIG, Ashok Bhan, has promised Shabir’s family that he will personally look into the matter. In fact Shabir’s mother says that it was only due to Mr. Bhan’s effort that the case was brought to media light, “he has promised us help, we are extremely grateful to him, he said that you should thank almighty Allah that your son is alive there are thousands of Kashmiri youth who have disappeared and nothing is known about them.”

    The family wants their son’s release and also wants that he be shifted to Srinagar jail, as it would be easy and convenient for them to meet him here. Their financial condition is also not good, their two daughter’s left studies one after passing 10th standard and another after 12th class. Hanief their second son is unemployed and the elder one who works in transport has a family of his own to support.
All that the family wants is to see their son, the ailing father and lovelorn mother long to see the light of their eyes, “we believe Allah will grant us our wish soon.” they both echo together

EXTRA JUDICIAL EXECUTIONS

* MAN LOOSES LIFE DUE TO CUSTODIAL TORTURE

    Mushtaq Ahmad, a petty thief who earned his living by committing thefts would have never imagined that that in the process of stealing other people’s trivial worldly possession, destiny would snatch his most prized possession-- his life. Arrested on 9th July, by Police and was allegedly tortured to death five days later. He was arrested in Gander bal, the police was looking for him and that day they had set a trap in Gander bal and arrested him there on a tip off of Mushtaq’s associate there.

“Even if he was a thief, does that give police a license to kill him mercilessly. Do thieves have no right to live? Is there any law to kill thieves”

    Mushtaq Ahmad Khanday son of Ghulam Ahmad Khanday from Qamerwari, Hanji Ghat was arrested on 9th July and kept in Parimpora Police Station and after five days of brutal torture killed on 14 July. His body was not handed to relatives who clashed with police outside the Hospital and later the body was given to them. Mushtaq’s family blames the police for his death. According to Habibullah Bhat, Mushtaq’s brother, “I was arrested before him, and for four days, I was kept in custody, but they did not torture me, they just asked for my brother and once they arrested him, they left me. For few days, they allowed us to meet him in the Police Station, but whenever we went to see him, he was in a bad shape, they had beaten him badly; he was having severe abdominal pain, and they forced him to drink buckets of water. For five days he was continuously tortured. He could not eat anything and complained of vomiting and diarrhoea. They brought a local doctor Dr Majeed, to investigate him; he said he is fine and just pretending to be sick. As his condition deteriorated further they brought another Doctor, Dr Jan to examine him. He said that Mushtaq’s condition was critical and he should be hospitalized immediately. But when they took him to SMHS hospital, he died even before the doctor could examine him”. The police than refused to give them body and only next day owing to public pressure handed the body to his relatives. The family has lodged an FIR in Parimpora Police Station. All the residents of Qamerwari, protested against the inhuman act, later the MLA of the area visited Mushtaq’s family and promised to get the guilty punished.

    Living in extreme poverty ridden conditions, Mushtaq had five sisters, only one of them is married. His father was too old to work, and only Habib earned a meager sum doing odd jobs. Since last year Mushtaq had not been to his house, as police would harass him. His brother says, “Police made life hell for me and my family, I have grown up sisters, they used to come at night and trouble us and look lecherously at my sisters. For that reason Mushtaq did not come to home”.

    According to Mushtaq’s accomplice and friend, Nazir Ahmad, ”we indulged in small thefts, once we were caught and kept behind the bars and severely tortured. After we were released on bail, I promised that I would never steal again. When Mushtaq was arrested this time his family was not aware of his arrest, I broke the news to them, but after his death, I fear my own life, I don’t stay at my home during nights” Nazir also remembers a incident which happened 6-7months before. “Once his mother and I saw him on the bank of river opposite to the house he lives in. we rushed to him and tried to convince him to quit stealing. After some time Police also came to the spot, but did not arrest him, they conversed with him for a long time and later they let him go, but this time the same police personnel arrested him, DO Saif-ud–Din and SI Ghulam Qadir who later tortured him and killed him.” His brother says that they heard that the DO was suspended, but we don’t know for sure. “Even if he was a thief, does that give them a license to kill him mercilessly. Do thieves have no right to live? We will follow the case and get justice”

    During the time Mushtaq was in custody the police had told the family to take him to hospital, and even Mushtaq pleaded the same, but the family refused as they felt it was the duty of police and later no one would believe he was in their custody. Whatever the reason, Mushtaq is no more. With grown up sisters of marriageable age and poverty reigning high in the house- hold, Mushtaq tried to find a short cut to lessen his burden but little did he know that this short cut would cut short his life?

*CUSTODIAL KILLINGS EVOKE PROTEST

July 14: Security forces allegedly tortured to death a former militant at Sheeri Baramulla in north Kashmir. Shocked over the extra judicial execution, inhabitants of Sheeri registered a massive protest against the killing.

    Altaf Ahmad Dar son of Ghulam Nabi Dar of Sheeri Baramulla, locals allege was picked up by the troops of 46 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) on July 3, when he was coming out of the court. He was reportedly tortured brutally in custody, which resulted, into his death. After his execution, the body was handed over to Baramulla police station that later handed over the body to the relatives.

    Altaf’s father said that RR after arresting Altaf took him to some unknown destination. The kind of treatment they meted out to him was visible on his body in the form of torture marks said shocked father of Altaf, he demanded an immediate and result oriented enquiry into the incident.

    However, giving a differed version the accused RR claimed that he was working with them as an informer and a case of murder was pending adjudication against him. The army tried for his bail following which Altaf volunteered his services and stayed in the camp since July 3, 2003.

    On July 14, Altaf complained of severe stomach pain and he was given the first aid but his condition-deteriorated and while shifting him to Central Medical Inspection (CMI) he escaped en route, added the spokesperson of RR.

* ANOTHER YOUTH DIES IN CUSTODY

Jul 17: Yet another alleged killing of a youth in custody of Special Operation Group (SOG) rocked whole area of Budgam district. He was arrested as substitute for his brother who is in other part of the Kashmir for arms training. Inhabitants of the area protested against the killing and held massive demonstration outside the civil secretariat.

    Relatives and neighbourers, while carrying the body of Bashir Ahmad Sheikh son of late Abdul Ahad Sheikh, of Rutsan Beerwah, to the civil secretariat raised the pro-movement and anti-Indian slogans.
The protesters demanded the stern action against the culprits who they alleged were Special Operation Group (SOG) Humhama, Budgam.

In the same village on 24-25 September 2001, two youth Mohammad Latif (16) s/o Ghulam Mohammad Ganie r/o Machoma, Beerwah, Budgam and Bashir Ahmad s/o Mungta Khan r/o Choti Mohalla Bandipora were picked up by the personnel of Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Special Task Force (STF) during a search operation. And after few days their dead bodies were buried at Ganderbal under the identity of foreign militants.

Some senior officials tried to pacify the demonstrators with out much success. However, continued slogan shouting forced the police to swing into action and they roughed up the protesters. Earlier, the body was also carried to the press enclave to inform the media about the killing.

Bashir on July 11, was allegedly called by an SOG officer Bitu Singh to present himself in the Humahama, SOG camp, which he did. Inside the camp, he was told to disclose the whereabouts of his brother who happens to be a militant and is currently in Pakistan Administrative Kashmir (PAK). Next day, when the worried relatives approached the SOG camp to know about Bashir’s welfare, shockingly, they were told that they have not arrested any such person. Thereafter, the relatives met with the Housing and Urban Development Minister for securing his release. The minister directed the concerned SOG to release Bashir immediately but they denied Bashir’s arrest.

As per the police version, Bashir was killed in an encounter with the joint posse of RR-24 and SOG Ganderbal at Wurpash. The police even claimed recovery of a rifle, 3 magazines, 52 rounds of ammunition from Bashir’s possession.

The relatives on July 17, were informed by the SOG men that Bashir’s body was thrown somewhere in Ganderbal area. The relatives rushed there and collected his dead body. However, the in charge SOG Budgam, Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari, said he knew Bashir personally. However, he denied having held him at any point of time. "I know he was innocent but his elder brother is a militant", he said. The government also ordered an enquiry into the alleged custodial killing of Bashir Ahmad.

*YOUTH KILLED IN CUSTODY

July 23: Troops allegedly killed a youth in their custody in Anantnag district of south Kashmir after arresting him. On the other hand, police while rejecting the allegations of locals said, the youth was killed in an encounter with security forces.

    As per the version of locals, Irshad Ahmad s/o Ghulam Hassan of Doda district was arrested by the forces from the house of Mohammad Shafi at Sajwan Achabal yesterday (22 July) in the evening. “Before we approached the concerned forces we came to know that his dead body was handed over to the police,” said a local.

    However, police refuted the allegations as unfounded and said Irshad Ahmad Lone a militant of Lasker-e-Tayeeba outfit was killed at Chak Traphoo, Achabal and a rifle, 2 magazines and 2 hand grenades were recovered from his possession.

* CUSTODIAL KILLING OF A RETIRED CONSTABLE

July 24: A retired head constable, Ghulam Muhammad Wani, s/o Abdul Qadoos Wani of Saigam, Kokernag, Islamabad was arrested by troops and later killed in custody. According to locals a patrolling party of 36 RR arrested Wani on 22nd, July, Tuesday night and on24th July, Thursday, his bullet-ridden body was found in the fields. The locals lodged strong protest against the alleged custodial killing and demanded probe into the incident. In another incident, Hakeem- Ud- Din Bakerwal s/o Keyar u-din Bakerwal of Hurpora Shopian, was allegedly killed by army jawans of 8 Assam regiment on Wednesday.
Reports said that army jawans barged into the shed and allegedly killed Hakeem along with his three sheep. His killing evoked strong protest from the people of the area.

* CUSTODIAL KILLING IN BUDGAM

July 30: Thousands of people protested against the reported custodial killing of a civilian in Khan sahib Budgam today. They said 22 year-old Ghulam Muhammad Bhat was arrested by RR soldiers last night and his body was thrown in a field later. Demanding stern action against the killers, the demonstrators raised pro-freedom and anti-government slogans. A police spokesman told a local news agency that Bhat died in cross firing when he was being taken for arms recovery where militants attacked them. However, an army spokesman said the youth died of some heart problem in police custody and army had nothing to do with the incident. "We had arrested the youth but he was handed over to police for questioning," said army spokesman.

YOUTH'S DEATH NOT CUSTODIAL: ENQUIRY REPORT

July 2: The magisterial inquiry ordered into the alleged custodial killing of Shabir Ahmad Pir, 25, s/o Ghulam Mohammad Pir r/o Shirhama, Handwara of district Kupwara has found the allegation false.
On February 4, 2003, Shabir Ahmad was killed which led to a massive protest with locals alleging that he was killed in custody of troops. In order to unveil the truth the government appointed Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Kupwara to probe the incident.

    This killing, which the people alleged was done in custody by the 30 BN Rashtriya Rifles (RR) was proved wrong after investigation was completed by the appointed ADM. The ADM, has relied on the statements of family members and friends of the deceased. It is found that Pir was working for the Army.
He was handed over to 4 prominent persons of the area by the army to prove his credentials of being innocent, as he had good links with the army. His friends who too have links with the army agree with this.
Shabir Ahmad’s father stated to the inquiry officer that he (Shabir) reached home well and sound. And on the same night a group of unidentified persons wearing masks entered his residence and ruthlessly beat Shabir Ahmad Pir as a result of which he died. The investigation report has been submitted to the government, which has been accepted.

ENQUIRIES ORDERED THIS MONTH

TRAGIC FAMILY:
ENDLESS MISERY

    Nazim Jan, resident of Tetaf Malla Khurd, Uri has a tragic tale of her brothers’ disappearance and ironically it is not the tale of disappearance of one brother but three.

    Her three brothers in age group from forty to eighteen disappeared. In a span of 10 years. Living in a far-flung area and being illiterate she does not know the exact year and month of the disappearances of her brothers but says almost a decade has passed since her first brother disappeared.

    Her elder brother Mohd Ishaq aged 40, son of Fakir Mohd, used to work in the fields, he left for work never to return again, the family searched for him every where. They went to army camps also but nothing could be ascertained about his whereabouts. They were trying to come terms to this tragedy when after a span of four years fate struck a cruel blow again when Safir, 20, who worked as a laborer disappeared. He was working in the fields, when he saw army personnel approaching him, he began to run away, as the army chased him, he jumped in the river. He was scared of the army as they had picked him up three, four times before and had severely tortured him. He had developed a fear psychosis and used to fear any uniformed man. Nazima says after a month a body was fished from the river but they could not identify the body and even post mortem was not conducted.

    Reeling under the shock, the family did not know that yet another catastrophe was awaiting them. Sharafat, the youngest in the family about 18 years old, who was working, as a mechanic in Baramulla, went to work and when he was on the way back, army apprehended him and nothing could be known about him after that. Three brothers met with the same fate. The tragedy is too grave for the family to bear “Since last many years we are searching for them but to no avail,” says Nazima. Belonging to extreme back ward class she does not even remember the year properly leave aside the month of her brothers’ disappearances. But almost 10 years have passed since then and nothing has been known about the fate of her brothers.

    Nazima’s mother could not bear the shock of her sons’ disappearance and was grief stricken for long period of time and eventually she died of a heart attack. Though Nazima has two more brothers, but the army also harasses them constantly.

    She has not gone to State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) or filed any report as she says, “I am illiterate and ignorant and have no idea of the procedures of law.” Nazima’s troubles are endless, she herself is a widow, her husband was killed by unidentified gunmen. Though nobody claimed the responsibility yet she feels personal animosity might be behind his killing “as it is a common phenomenon that villagers who harbor grudges against anybody kill them on the basis of personal animosity,” says Nazima. She has five children, 2 daughters and 3 sons. Only two of her kids are studying, as she cannot afford the luxury of educating her other children. The death of her husband and the mysterious disappearances of her brothers coupled with financial constraints has filled her life with pain. “There is only pain in my life, no hope to live on, only darkness, but this is destined”, says Nizama with a sigh. Is this really destined, perhaps all Kashmiris seek solace from this for there is nothing much they can do about it.
Gulshan from Uri aged 32 has a similar tale; her two brothers’ were made to disappear. She says, “We live in heavy army infested area. The army used to torture them constantly and one day they went to work never to return back. Anwar, 20, and Bashir, s/o of Karam Sancha who were laborers were allegedly picked by army ten years back and thereafter there whereabouts were not revealed. My parents were shocked by this incident and soon my after my mother died of heart attack and my father followed suit.

    Though we made every effort to trace them but nothing worked. The army categorically denied their arrest. We live in area where army reigns, there word is law and they have the license to do any thing. No body dares to tell them any thing. My brothers had no animosity with any body, their disappearance is the handiwork of army. The police refuse to file FIR, we have to bribe them, but we have no money. I think my brothers are dead but until it is proven otherwise I am living between hope and despair”

    Being close to border Uri is highly infested with army. People in this area live in constant fear and almost all families have a history of disappeared member. But often these cases go unnoticed, as Uri is a remote area and literacy rate being extremely low. The people are ignorant about their rights and therefore human right violations in all forms go unreported.

INTERNAL RIVALRY MILITANT KILLED BY COMRADES

    A slightly decomposed body of a militant of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) guerilla outfit was recovered from Basti area about 8 km from Baderwah. He was allegedly killed at the hands of his own comrades. Masood Ahmad s/o Jalal Din of Dabra Tehsil of Doda district joined militancy before two years and was actively working with the outfit. He was allegedly first subjected to inhuman torture and later his comrades killed him at Thantheri forest of Basti village.

    Reportedly, there were some differences amongst the cadres over the change of leadership. Farooq Dar alias FD was replaced from the District Commandership few weeks before and another militant Farooq Sheikh alias Saqib was decided as District Commander, which also resulted into the change of other cadres in files of district body of HM.

    “Masood was the lone supporter of the former commander and opposed the new one, and this was the reason behind his killing.

    Since my brother and FD hails from the same area, the replacement of FD was not welcomed by FD’s loyalist, Masood being one of them, hence he was targeted”, said Masood’s cousin Tariq Hussain.
Later on, the body of Masood was brought to Sub District Hospital, from there it was handed to his relatives.

ALLEGED ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES

* STUDENT KIDNAPPED, DISAPPEARS

    Unidentified persons alighting from a white colour Gypsy outside the Amar Singh College abducted a final year student of the college. The incident occurred in the first week of July.

    Showkat Ahmad Pal, son of Abdul Rehman Pal, of Lawaypora, student of Amar Singh College, at Srinagar district was kidnapped by unidentified persons alighting from a white colour Gypsy. His family made extensive efforts to trace him but without much success.

* YOUTH DISAPPEARS MYSTERIOUSLY

    A youth Bashir Ahmad son of late Abdul Ahad Sheikh resident of Ratsun, Beerwah district Budgam is reportedly missing since 11th of July 2003.

    Bashir Ahmad on 11 July Friday left his home to Budgam market for buying some household goods and since then his whereabouts are not known. His family members searched for him everywhere and approached the police and security forces but all in vain. Bashir’s, family suspect security forces behind his arrest.

* TWO YOUTH DISAPPEAR

* Unidentified gunmen allegedly abducted a youth from Dalgate area of Srinagar district on 4th July and since then his fate is not known.

    As per the reports, unknown persons called Javaid Ahmad Tiploo son of Gul Mohammad Tiploo of Abhi Karpora later in the evening and since then he didn’t return back. His family and relatives expressed serious concern over his disappearance and lodged a report in the concerned police station. Javaid is a sales man by profession.

* In another case of enforced disappearance, a twenty seven year old youth was picked up by the troops from Lolab on July 4, and since then nothing has been established about his site of captivity. The identification of the arrestee has not been ascertained.

* YOUTH DISAPPEARED

July 7: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) arrested a youth Shabir Ahmad Wani s/o Ghulam Mohammad Wani of Kokarnag in south Kashmir. He was arrested from Anantnag district while he was traveling in a Sumo and since then nothing has been ascertained about his welfare.

    A student, Mudasir Ahmad son of Ghulam Ahmad of Palapora, Kulgam in district Anantnag of south Kashmir reportedly disappeared after he left his home on 7th July 2003. His family is worried about his welfare, they have made efforts in locating him but so far nothing has been known about him.

* MASSIVE PROTEST OVER DISAPPEARANCE OF A YOUTH
July 8: Massive protest rocked entire Naidkadal area of Srinagar district over the disappearance of a youth after the security forces arrested him during a raid conducted by them on June 17, at his residence.
Protesting against the disappearance, inhabitants of Naidkadal set a Dharna (picket) on the main road, which resulted into traffic jam for hours. The people were pacified only when they got assurance from the police higher ups about his release.

    Expressing serious concern over the disappearance of Bashir Ahmad Sofi son of Abdul Ahad Sofi, locals of the area alleged that he was arrested in a nocturnal raid on June 17, conducted by the paratroopers at his residence. Relatives and neighbourers made tireless efforts to locate him but all in vain.
Interestingly, forces are looking for a militant namely, Bashir Ahmad Sofi and in this connection they arrested three namesakes from different places of district Srinagar. However, Bashir Ahmad Sofi of Khanyar whom security forces are looking for is already detained in some jail. Before arresting Bashir Ahmad of Naidkadal the other arrestees were Bashir Ahmad Sofi s/o Mohammad Ramzan of Eid Ghah and Bashir Ahmad Sofi of Chatabal, Srinagar.

    The lone brother in five sisters and a key earner in the family Bashir Ahmad is not having any links with ongoing militancy and is a mechanic by profession, said locals. They also appealed for the immediate intervention of higher authorities into the matter.

* TWO PUPILS DISAPPEAR MYSTERIOUSLY

    Two pupils of Darulaloom (Islamic school) Pulwama on July 25 disappeared mysteriously and no body has any knowledge about their whereabouts. The relatives made efforts to trace them but without any success.

    The disappeared have been identified as Zahoor Ahmad Shah, 10, son of Mushtaq Ahmad Shah of Kegam, Shopian and Bilal Ahmad Beig, 13, son of Ali Mohammad Beig.

* TEENAGER DISAPPEAR

    Sixteen year old Mohammed Hussain Ashraf s/o Mohammed Yousuf Ashraf r/o Chowdhary Bageen, Rainawari who was arrested on May 24 by an army patrol at Sampore near Pampore and allegedly made to disappear in custody.

    Ashraf, a carpet weaver was returning home after a night at his friend’s house at Vuyan Balhama. He stopped at a workshop in Sampore to talk to his friends. An army patrol of 7 Para RR based at Khrew called him. Ashraf, believed to have a mental disability ran away. The soldiers reportedly caught him and beat him before taking him to Khrew army camp in vehicle No 98B-065366. Later on the same day Ashraf’s parents learned of his detention from his friends. They immediately went to Khrew camp where an army officer, Bhopal Singh, admitted that he was in custody and assured them he would be released soon. His parents visited the camp five to six times more but were not permitted to speak to any officials.
On June 5,the family filed a complaint at Pantha Chowk police station. Around June 7, the army reportedly told the family that Ashraf had been in their custody for a short time but had later been released. The family is worried and have made all efforts to trace him but in vain.

    Ashraf though only 16 is the only earning member in the family. He has two brothers of whom one was rendered handicap in an accident and the second one is too young, His father is suffering from heart disease and two sisters are also having mental disorders. The family has a history of mental illness. Due to Ashraf’s arrest the whole family has crumbled down.

    Ashraf’s mother is moving from pillar to post to locate her son. She does not have the money to pursue the struggle for her son’s search and often borrows money from people. Her disappeared son was the only source of income that the family had and with his enforced disappearance, all their hopes of living have also disappeared. She came to the office of public commission on human rights (PCHR) to file her case. Her case was sent to amnesty international (AI).

    The AI urged people to send appeals urging the state government to reveal Ashraf’s whereabouts immediately: calling on the authorities to ensure that if he is in detention he be treated humanely. It also asked the people to seek immediate release of Ashraf unless he can be charged with a recognizably criminal offence.

* FOUR DISAPPEARANCES FROM BARAMULLA

    Four youth were arrested from Zandfaran area about 10 km away from Baramulla in south Kashmir in the first week of July and since then nothing has been ascertained about their whereabouts. They have been identified as Shaheen Ahmad, Aijaz Ahmad, Abdul Aziz and Mohammed Hussain all residents of Zandfaran, Baramulla.

    One of the disappeared boy’s sister Tabasum Bano told The Informative Missive “My brother Mohd Hanief Loan, studying in 12th standard aged 16 left home on 2nd July 2003. At 9 Am he left home to go for school, but did not return back. Worried we started searching for him, we thought he had gone to Kupwara and other villages and tried to find him but he was nowhere. After 4 days we lodged FIR at Sheeri police station.

    The other three boys of our village Zandfaran, have also been reported to be missing but we are not sure that they are together or any thing about their whereabouts”.

    Out of the four boys Shaheen Ahmed aged 18 was working as the congress party activist before his disappearance. All the family members of the four disappeared persons have contested the official version of their joining the militancy.

FUTILE SEARCH

    Tariq Ahmad Rather 28,son of Ghulam Mohd Rather, resident of Pahalipura Shamasabad, Baramulla, a mason by profession left home for new Delhi in search of work on 11 December, 2002 but never returned back. His wife Tahira a young lady in mid twenties says, “I have no clue as to who picked him and why? As far as I know he was not affiliated with any group nor security forces and neither militants. He was a family man and loved and cared for our three sons and me. He went to Delhi in search of work, at the time of leaving he promised that he would call as soon as he reached Delhi, but 10 days passed and there was no information from him, I became worried because he was a responsible person and always would make it a point to inform us if he stayed out for long. After 20 days passed and there was still no sign of him, I went to Delhi myself and tried to find him, I went to all the places where I felt he might have gone, but at all places there was a negative reply, he had not been to any of those places.

    Worried I lodged FIR in the Boniyar police station. The police have not yet come out with any significant development. I have nobody to help me, my parents are dead, and I rely on the mercy of my neighbors and brothers. Ours was a love marriage so my in- laws and I are not on very cordial terms. I am concerned about my sons, the eldest one Mudassir Tariq is 11 years old and studying in 5th standard, the second one Idress is 7 years old and studying in 2nd class and the youngest one Suhail is 3 years old and in nursery. Right know I have no source of income and am finding life tough.” Tahira finds it difficult to believe that her husband is not with her and cannot fathom the reason behind her husbands’ sudden disappearance. His disappearance has shattered her world.

TROOPS BLAST HOUSE

July 7: Two-storeyed residential house of two brothers was allegedly blasted by the troops of 15 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) on the directions of the Major at Kaloosa, Bandipora in north Kashmir of Baramulla district. House owners were pressurized not to report the incident to the press and neither to protest against it.

    Reliable sources said, before breaking of the dawn, there was a search and cordon operation laid by the troops of 15 RR camped at Kaloosa in the entire area. The troops barged inside the residential house of Abdul Jabar Dar, 55, and Ghulam Mohammad Dar, about 100 meters away from the camp and dragged all the inmates out of the house and beat them. Gulshan, 22, d/o Abdul Jabar was beaten up mercilessly, she was dragged out of the house by pulling her hair, Manzoor Ahmad, 15, s/o Abdul Jabar was lynched causing him grave injury, later he was admitted to the hospital. According to an eyewitness who spoke to The Informative Missive on conditions of anonymity said, “the troops damaged the whole property of the duo on the pretext of sheltering militants, which is false as the family has never harbored militants. Even the reports carried by the press were categorically wrong as the press reported that there was encounter between militants and the troops in which the house was gutted down. But nothing of the sort happened.

    It is a well-known fact that Major of this area is a notorious man and commands his men to terrorize the people. The villagers are used as laborers by the forces and they have to perform daily attendance at the camp, even if our relatives or friends visit us they too have to admit their attendance in the camp. Hurling of Hindi film songs and derogatory comments on the girls particularly school going girls has become a routine. After 5:00 pm unofficial curfew is imposed and shoot at sight orders are given.

    These atrocities continue here. After the security forces blasted the house of Ghulam Mohammad Dar and Jabbar Dar, the major called Ghulam Mohammad Dar to the camp by sending few renegades to his home. And inside the camp he was pressurized not to report in the press and neither to hold protest against the incident, in case, he dared to do so he would have to face the consequences. Despite the threatening, the family met the concerned MLA Usmaan Majeed, who assured them that he would visit the spot along with the DC. Later, the MLA visited the spot but the DC did not come.

    At the moment, the family is facing tough times as they are living in a small tent. They are living on the mercy of their neighbourers who are helping them at the moment but the family fears it will not go for longtime. Without a roof on their heads life is proving difficult for them”

MIGRATION OF NINE FAMILIES VILLAGERS THREATEN TO CROSS OVER TO PAKISTAN

July 8: About nine families of Mori, Kalaroose, area of district Kupwara migrated from their native village due to the alleged unremitting harassments meted out to them by the troops of 14 Rashtriya Rifles (RR). Locals threatened to cross over to Pakistan, if the harassment is not stopped immediately.

    The Major of 14 RR, as per the reports along with his colleagues masquerading as militants, during the nighttime barged inside the village houses and harassed the villagers in one way or the other way. The continuous harassments forced them to migrate from their native village to other safer places. The locals threatened that if an immediate end was not put to such atrocities they will cross over to Pakistan as the inhabitants of Rangan Bala had done.

REIN OF TERROR IN BANDIPORA
Old-aged men ruthlessly beaten up

    Inhabitants of Bandipora accused Rashtriya Rifles (RR) deployed in their area of letting loose a rein of terror in the entire area. They alleged that they are often thrashed, beaten up and subjected to forced labour. Their identity cards were also snatched. Troops ask shameful questions to women, and harass them on one or the other pretext.

    Agaspora, a village in Bandipora of district Baramulla in south Kashmir where deployed troops of RR allegedly have unleashed a reign of terror in the entire area. Residents including old aged men are humiliated, beaten up ruthlessly, and forced to work in the RR camp and even the women are not spared. Snatching of Identity cards from the locals has become a normal practice of the forces.

    On July 4, a patrolling party of RR snatched the identity cards of about dozen civilians and pressurized them to come to their camp. On reaching the camp the RR personnel forced them to do odd jobs. People have no right to exercise their will, if anybody resents the forces dictation he is harassed on the pretext of having links with the militants, reports said.

    When the locals were about to stage a demonstration against the atrocities, the troops turned violent and started beating the villagers and in the army’s unlawful action about half a dozen civilians received multiple injuries including the old aged men. The injured were moved to the hospital and they were identified as Saif-ud-Din Khan, 80, Wali Rehman, 70, Master Salam Din, 55, Bashir Ahmad Mir son of Nadir Mir, Rehmatullah and Mohammad Dilawar Khan. The villagers also accuse troops of unnecessary checking of the passenger buses and of harassing youth and women.

    Locals have appealed for the intervention of higher authorities and human rights groups for taking up the matter and to put an end to their miseries by taking action against the erring troops.

ARREST AND MANHANDLING OF 14 YOUTH AT PULWAMA
July 5: Fourteen persons were arrested and beaten allegedly during the search and cordon operation conducted by Border Security Forces (BSF) at Arihal area of Pulwama district of South Kashmir.

    According to the reports, personnel of BSF reportedly cordoned off entire Arihal and conducted raids, and searches, and during the operation 14 persons were arrested and beaten up by the forces. All the 14 were arrested during the several raids conducted by the forces at their respective residence. However, the forces didn’t mention the reason of their arrests.

    Relatives of the arrestees and inhabitants of the area expressed serious concern over their arrest and demanded an immediate release of all the arrested youth who they believe have no affiliation with the on going militancy. In this regard the locals met with the Deputy Commissioner Pulwama for securing the release of all arrestees.

30,000 CIVILIANS, 60,000 MILITANTS KILLED IN JK SINCE ’90: POLICE
July 8: For the First time, the police acknowledged the number of killings as 90,000 including 30,000 civilians but excluding the security forces since January 1990 up to December 2002, in the violence related incidents across the state. This figure was published in the souvenir entitled "Moments of Honors" brought out by Jammu and Kashmir police on the occasion of presentation of colors by Indian President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam.

    The glossy souvenir has been divided into several chapters covering the historical perspectives and achievements of J&K police. One of the chapters "Saga of supreme sacrifices" carries a highlighted box with the heading "Contours of Terrorist Violence in J&K from Jan 1990 to Dec 2002" which reports that more than 30,000 civilians have been killed in more than 56041 incidents of `terrorist’ violence.

    In another chapter, "They sacrificed their tomorrow for our today", the authors claim "it goes to the credit of the state police to have been on record having eliminated nearly 60,000 militants since terrorism first surfaced in full fury in 1989 in Kashmir". The souvenir says till November 2002 nearly 650 officers and jawans lost their lives. However, in a highlighted box appearing in a later chapter, the total number of policemen killed stands at 1037.

    This discrepancy in the figures puts a question mark on the official estimates, mainly drawn from police sources, which puts the number of persons killed during the period January 1990 to June 2003 as follows: "Civilians killed by militants 16648, militants 16730, civilians killed in cross firing and administrative action for maintenance of law and order 3172". The official figures put the number of security forces, including SPOs, VDC, army and paramilitary forces, at 4038 with 685 policemen till June 2003.

COPS BEATS FAMILY TO SETTLE SCORE
July 06: Misuse of official position, particularly by the belt force, seems to be assuming an epidemic dimension. A policeman deployed in charge of a Sikh minority security post has allegedly beaten a neighbor of his and his family members to settle some score and then lodged a false report against his victims.

    Reports said Qaisar Ahmad, constable in charge of the minority picket at Panjar, Shopian, who is a resident of Wattu (Shopian) had a dispute with his neighbour, Mahda Bhat s/o Ghulam Muhammad Bhat. Misusing his official position, he allegedly barged into Bhat’s house along with four of other policemen and beat Bhat and other inmates.

    Eyewitnesses said the policemen, in uniform, wore masks and were carrying their service weapons. Posing as army men, they beat the inmates of Bhat family. However, when Bhat’s family raised alarm their neighbors came to their help and over-powered the policemen, and in the process, even recognized Qaisar Ahmad. However, it was Ahmad who first lodged an FIR (No 148/2003) in the police station u/s 341. The FIR lodged by Bhat was registered vide No 149/2003 u/s 354, 451 and 147 RPC. Locals urged the authorities to order an investigation into the matter and punish the guilty officials.

PROCESSION IN LOLAB UNDER ARMY PRESSURE
July 1: A number of people who took part in the peace rally at Lolab yesterday alleged that army forced them to take part in the event. They said, the security forces made the announcements on the loud speakers of the mosque regarding their participation in the rally. The security official also personally approached them and directed them to join the rally. The people also said that they did not raise anti Pakistan and anti militant slogans as was claimed by the defense spokesman, but those were raised by Ikhwanis (renegades).

LADY PROFESSOR MANHANDLED
July1: Geology Professor and head of the department, Tahmeena Yousuf who was driving her car bearing registration No.JK01A-9550 was allegedly stopped and dragged out by renegades. The renegades caught hold of her hair and physically assaulted her. Tahmeena was severely thrashed for not sidelining her car, after being repeatedly being horned by the renegade vehicle. When the incident occurred, Tahmeena was on her way to college. After the incident she proceeded to college and the students on seeing her condition and came to know about the incident protested outside the college premises. The police lathi (cane) charged the agitating students injuring four of them. The college administration has lodged FIR against the culpable.

DODA DIARY
(By People’s Forum For Peace, Doda)

* YOUTH DISAPPEARED BY VDC

July 2: A youth Nazir Ahmad r/o Charote Doda, tehsil was picked up by the members of Village Defence Committee (VDC) from Charote Doda and his whereabouts have not been disclosed to his family.

    Nazir Ahmad’s father lodged a complaint in concerned police station. As per his family, a group of five members of the VDC from Kishtwar, Abdul Majeed, Bans Lal, Sheher Mohammad, Mohammad Ibrahim and Desraj entered in their village and conducted a search operation. During the operation Nazir Ahmad was taken into custody. When the family approached the group, they were assured of his release soon. "Nazir

Ahmad is not remotely related with militancy", family added.
    Nazir's father held VDC responsible for the disappearance of his son, "I am sure that the VDC members are entirely responsible for the disappearance of my son and they were from Kishtwar".
The same group allegedly let loose reign of terror in upper reaches of Doda. The group is meant to protect the villagers in their respective areas, whereas, they intrude in neighbouring villages and resorted to grave human rights violations.

    There were also general complaints of the people in the area that the VDC are misusing the official weapons for their personal benefits.

* MARMAT RESIDENTS FLEE THE VILLAGE

July 11: Thirteen persons including six women were allegedly beaten up by the army and Special Task Forces (STF) personnel at Dednisutla, Marmat of district Doda.

    Following the incident, large number of villagers mostly women fled the area and reached Doda to meet Deputy Commissioner (DC), Additional SSP Doda, to apprise them about the growing human rights violation of their area. They also lodged complaint against the troops.

    Reports said, army personnel from 8 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) assisted with two STF men turned life hell of Dednisutla, Marmat villagers, the villagers were subjected to various human rights violations. Even the women were not spared from their aggression.

    As per the statement of an injured woman, "army personnel and two members of STF have let loose a reign of terror in the entire area. They beat people whenever they want, they do what they like and even the reports are not carried by the newspapers or any other informative agency. It seems that the soldiers' possessed license to commit human right abuses. The soldiers were deployed to neutralize militancy but the militants are moving freely. Instead of fighting or arresting them innocents are targeted".

    The troops are well aware about the places where militants are moving day in and day out, but they avoid climbing those places. Despite knowing the militant hide outs and movements, the common people are arrested and weapons and information are demanded,” said the women.

    Those who have been admitted in the hospital were identified as Mohammad Rafiq, Abdul Gani, Sher Mohammad, Abdul Latief Wani, Mohammad Ishaq, Qulsum Begum, Hassena Brehuim, Farooq Ahmad Sheikh and Vijay Kumar. The villagers moved a petition to the district administration who have assured them of investigating the matter. However, the army authorities denied the allegations but they visited the district hospital to see the injured.

* SIX PEOPLE RECEIVE CRITICAL INJURIES

July 18: Up to six persons were brought to Doda hospital from Wanda Beoli for treatment, as they were allegedly beaten up ruthlessly by the Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF) for not having any fault of them.

    Soldiers from 21 Bn CRPF deployed in the area on Aug 17, arbitrarily picked up six persons of Wanda Beoli, subsequently, they were taken to nearby forests. In forests, the Deputy Superintendent (DS) of CRPF demanded firewood and timber from the arrestees. On their denial, the irked DS started beating them mercilessly with the result the arrestees received multiple injuries. Due to lack of medical facilities in the area they were brought to Doda hospital for treatment.

    The CRPF party has been constantly accused of forcing villagers to fetch timber from the forests causing huge losses to the forests. All the six persons and the forest guard of the area are under threat not to make any complaint with any official or higher authorities. The victims were identified as Burf Singh, Gandhirab Singh, Kul Singh, Parbat Singh, Kuldeep Singh and forest guard Kartar Singh.

    In other incident, 10 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) personnel allegedly picked up a youth from Desa area of Doda and lodged him in their camp. In the camp, he was allegedly subjected to inhuman treatment due to which he received critical injuries. Thereafter, he was admitted to Doda District hospital in ward no. 2.

PATHRIBAL VICTIMS GET HEALING TOUCH

July 23: Government today ordered the suspension of Farooq Khan, former senior superintendent of police, Islamabad after he was found guilty of fudging DNA/ blood samples of kin of five innocent civilians killed in a fake encounter by army and STF men on his orders at Pathribal. The case has been handed over to CBI and vigilance commissioner for investigation and prosecution.

    Two police officers and a team of forensic experts have also been found guilty of fudging the samples. The services of an assistant sub-inspector, Bashir Ahmad, who participated in the fake encounter on Khan’s orders, have been terminated. Government has also ordered disciplinary action against Abdul Rahman, the then DSP for subverting the proper evidence gathering.

    Further, it has condemned B A Runyal, the then deputy commissioner, for his refusal to cooperate with the inquiry commission. " Strong displeasure" has been conveyed to Dr Balbir Kour, who headed the team of forensic experts from government medical college, for "the lack of proficiency and diligence".

    The order is based on the report of a three-member ministerial sub-committee comprising deputy chief minister, Mangat Ram Sharma, minister for finance, planning, law and parliamentary affairs, Muzaffar Hussain Baig and minister for food and supplies, Taj Mohiuddin.

    The sub-committee was constituted March last year to probe the incident following media reports that    there were attempts to tamper the blood samples sent for investigations to Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics CDFC Hyderabad and Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Kolkatta. It may be recalled that five innocents were killed in cold blood in Pathribal by army and police and had falsely implicated them in the Chittisinghpora massacre in which 35 Sikhs were killed After killing them they branded them as foreign militants. The incident evoked widespread condemnation and owing to public pressure the then government headed by Farooq Abdullah ordered probe into the incident, but the DNA samples of the relatives were fudged leading to other inquiry. The sub-committee was asked to propose further course of action based on the report of one man enquiry commission headed by retired justice G A Kuchay, appointed by Farooq Abdullah government following massive public outcry that those killed in Pathribal were innocent civilians.

       The commission had found that Farooq Khan was reluctant to permit the exhumation of the bodies of killed civilians and later agreed on the condition that identification be made on the basis of DNA tests. Asked why he wanted the DNA tests to be done, Khan had told district magistrate in presence of DIG, Raja Aijaz Khan, that the bodies were burnt beyond recognition and he will take care of other things. "This piece of evidence is crucial as it clearly indicates that Farooq Khan had made up his mind to manipulate the DNA tests, and that is what eventually happened", the report states.

    The commission had raised doubts on the conduct of enquiry officer, Dy SP Sheikh Abdul Rahman who provided laboratory technicians to the team of doctors from government medical college. The doctors had collected blood samples from the kin of deceased identified by Rahman. The magistrate did not sign the samples, and the memos identifying the donors were not prepared by the doctors.

    The samples were termed as spurious by the Hyderabad based CDFD. The involvement of paramedical staff provided by DSP Rehman and callousness of doctors "gave enough opportunity to fudge with the material", the report said.

Farooq Khan and his accomplices did this to cover up the killings. However, they had left enough loopholes in their plan. The daily diary of police post, Sherbagh had recorded that a police party headed by the accused ASI, Bashir Ahmad was going to the spot where the killings took place. The entry was made "as per the directions of the SSP Islamabad in connection with some secret duty towards police control room".

    Before the commission, ASI Bashir Ahmad had narrated a cock and bull story that he had received a "telephonic call from a shopkeeper whose name and number he does not know" informing him about the presence of "foreign militants" at the spot. He told commission that following the instructions of commanding officer 77 RR, he had reached the spot and fired 20 to 25 shots and had found some Kothas burning and charred bodies lying on the ground. Except Farooq Khan, no police official visited the spot, ASI had told the commission. The commission maintained that both Khan and Bashir lied before the commission by telling a cock and bull story. Farooq Khan had also denied having ordered ASI Bashir to cooperate with the army officers in the killings. He had feigned ignorance regarding his statements before district magistrate and DIG, Islamabad.

    Farooq Khan, along with some senior army officers, had appeared before the media persons and claimed that the civilians killed at Pathribal were foreign militants. However, he told the commission that he had stated only what was conveyed to him by the army officers.

    It may be also recalled that 8 civilians protesting the Pathribal incident were killed in firing by personnel of special task force at Brakpora, Islamabad. Gazanfar Ali, one of the police officers who ordered the firing was reinstated after suspension. Promoted as SHO Nowgam afterwards, he was again suspended for third degree torture of a mason who died at hospital a day after. A probe ordered by Mufti government found the accused guilty of strangling the victim.

    The suggestions of the cabinet sub-committee today have come in wake of spurt in custodial killings and other human rights violations during the past few months and it seems that the government wants to send a signal to those who have been violating the human rights with impunity. (With inputs from Kashmir Times)

5 VILLAGERS GUNNED DOWN IN RAJOURI

July 7: In a gruesome incident five members of a minority communities, including two women were gunned down by a group of unidentified gunmen near Line of Actual Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district.

    Police blamed the separatist guerillas for the incident. However, there was no independent confirmation of the placed allegations. Giving details, police said a group of three militants appeared at Manpur village asking the villagers to facilitate them to cross over to the other side of the LoC. “The frightened villagers raised hue and cry, which irked gunmen, who opened fire indiscriminately upon the villagers killing five including two women on the spot and critical injuring another woman,” the police said.

    The deceased were identified as Joginder Lal, son of Mulkh Raj, Munshi Ram, son of Bhola Ram, Tara Banti, wife of Bela Ram and Babli Devi, wife of Sudesh Kumar-all residents of Dhaneka, Kali Das, son of Laxman Das Langer. The injured woman was identified as Deweno Devi, wife of Kali Das. She was airlifted to Military Hospital (MH) Udhampur for treatment.

BSF DEPUTY COMMANDANT ROUGHS UP RETIRED DIG

July 26: In a bizarre incident, a BSF deputy commandant along with his constables roughed up a retired DIG when the latter was leaving for his home state early this morning. Informed sources said the DIG 3rd sector, A K Joshi, who retired on Tuesday, was leaving for his home when deputy commandant, V Sadhu, along with sub-inspector Paswan and constables, Santosh and Kuldeep, allegedly barged into his residential quarter and severely thrashed him.

    Joshi, who was injured, was so shocked by the assault that he straightway rushed to the residence of the deputy commissioner and related the whole incident to him asking for protection. The deputy commissioner after pacifying the visibly shaken DIG, called the police and asked them to register FIR. The Islamabad police station has registered FIR bearing number 361/2003 u/s 307 RPC.

    Apparently fearing further attacks from the deputy commandant, he reportedly requested the DC for police protection upto the bus station. Complying with the directions of DC, police guarded him upto the vehicle. Sources said DIG was so much terrified by the development that he told police he would prefer civil vehicle to BSF vehicle. Moved by the plight of Joshi, police booked a seat for him in civil vehicle and made it a point to see him off.

NEWS IN BRIEF

SOLDIER SHOOTS COMRADE

July 2: A soldier Sunil Kumar, an operator by position was allegedly shot dead by his colleague at one of the security forces posts at Rajouri district of Jammu division. The reason of the killing was not established.

SOLDIER COMMITTS SUICIDE

A jawan of Border Security Forces (BSF) ended his life by shooting himself dead by his own service rifle at Ranbir Bhawan, Barbarshah Srinagar. On hearing the gunshots his colleagues rushed towards the spot and took him to the hospital where he was declared as brought dead. The deceased has been identified as Dada Sherpa (99400146) 127 BN.

LIFE TAKING ASSAULT ON YOUTH

July 13: Inhabitants of Kralpora registered a massive demonstration against the alleged life taking assault on a youth of the area by unidentified persons. During the intervening night of 12 and 13th of July, unidentified persons barged inside the residential house of Abdul Gaffar Lone son of Haji Ghulam Rasool Lone and made an abortive attempt on his life. They beat him brutally but he managed to drag the attention of his neighbourers by crying for his safety. On hearing his cries people ran out of their houses and assembled out side Gaffar’s house due to which the assailants failed to kill Gaffar. People also made attempt to catch the attackers but they fled away successfully under the cover of darkness.

    Residents of the area took to the streets to protest the assault on the youth and they held a dharna (sit in) outside the Kralpora police station with the result the traffic movement was disrupted for few hours. People also expressed serious concern over the safety and security of the youth.

60 PERSONS MISSING UNDER PDP-CONG COALITION RULE: AI

    On July 18, Amnesty International (AI) expressing grave concern over the unabated enforced disappearances in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and said more than 60 persons have disappeared in the custodies of law enforcing agencies since PDP-led government took over reins of power in the state.
Quoting local observers, the AI said, that 60 disappearances were reported since the state elections in October 2002. Besides, the AI said upto 4000 persons disappeared since the onset of militancy in 1989.

DETENUE'S FAMILY MEMBERS ARRESTED

July 18: Police today arrested the family members of Bashir Ahmad Sofi, who disappeared after his arrest by the security forces on 17th June 2003. Worrying about the welfare of Bashir Ahmad the relatives held demonstration at Exchange Road, Lal Chowk early in the morning. They were demanding that the security officials must disclose his whereabouts and also set him free.

    Police arrested them and released after few hours. The family members have threatened to go on indefinite hunger strike if Sofi's whereabouts are not disclosed at the earliest.

KILLING OF STUDENT SPARKS PROTEST

July 18: People at Ashmuqam in south Kashmir staged a massive protest after a class XII student was killed by a cop. A case was registered against the cop. Reports said some cops and locals had an altercation over some issue near a shop. During the argument there was an accidental fire from the gun of a cop, Mohammad Ashraf leading to death of one Aijaz Ahmad Khan, a student who was standing nearby.
People thronged the streets to protest the killing and shopkeepers observed a shutdown. Senior police officers rushed to the spot and a case was lodged against the cop.

14 INJURED IN GRENADE EXPLOSION

July 27: At least 14 civilians were injured in a grenade explosion in Kokernag market in Anantnag district of South Kashmir today, official sources said. The explosive device hurled by unidentified persons exploded on a market road in this famous health resort, injuring 14 pedestrians many of them local visitors. The injured were hospitalized.

    There have been string of grenade attacks in crowded areas of south Kashmir in the recent past leaving more than 4 people dead and 160 injured. Police, has laid blame on the militants fighting for the independence of Kashmir. No group has owned the responsibility for such attacks where victims are mostly common civilians.

KILLINGS IN THE MONTH OF JULY

WOMEN CHILDREN KILLED

July 6: Two children were killed and one injured when a bomb went off while they were playing in a ground at Raj Mohalla, Warpora, Sopore in north Kashmir. The deceased have been identified as Sameer Ahmad Bhat and Ishaq Ahmad.
July 7: Unknown gunmen killed two women at Manpur village. The dead have been identified as Tara Banti wife of Bela ram and Babli Devi wife of Sudesh Kumar.
July 14: Gunmen allegedly militants shot dead a girl Nazia Akthar at Arwami, Anantnag district of south Kashmir. She is said to be daughter of erstwhile ruling National Conference (NC) activist and the reason behind his killing is believed to be this affiliation.
July 18: A woman constable was allegedly shot dead by militants at Sariefabad in Tral township of Pulwama district of south Kashmir. She was identified as Inderjeet Kour.
July 22: Militants allegedly intruded into the residence of Abdul Ahmad Khan of Dolipora, Kupwara and fired indiscriminately on the inmates resulting into the death of his daughter.

July 1: Six militants, two soldiers and a civilian were killed while half a dozen persons received injuries in violence related incidents across the state.
July 2: A soldier, five pro-government militants and four civilians were killed in separate incidents of violence across the state.
July 3: Two militants, two soldiers and a civilian died in various violence related incidents at different parts of the state.
July 4: Two militants, two civilians and three unidentified person were killed in separate incidents of violence.
July 5: Five militants and three civilians were killed in separate incidents of violence across the state.
July 6: Five militants and four civilians including two children were killed in various incidents of violence across the state.
July 7: A militant, two released militants, and six civilians were killed in separate incidents of violence across the state.
July 8: Two militants, policeman, a woman cop, army informer and a civilian were killed in various incidents of violence across the state.
July 9: Peoples Democratic Party activist, ex-cop and a youth were killed in separate incidents of violence across the state.
July 10: Four militants and a civilian died in separate incidents of violence across the state.
July 11:Four militants, policeman and a civilian died in separate incidents of violence.
July 12:Three militants and three civilians were killed in separate incidents of violence in the state.
July 13: Eight militants, four civilians and a released militant were killed in different incidents of violence.
July 14: Eight militants, four soldiers, three cops, two civilians including a girl and security forces informer were killed in separate incidents of violence across the state.
July 15: Six militants, army man and a civilian were killed in various incidents of violence.
July 16: Two militants and a civilian were killed in different incidents of violence.
July 17: Five militants, a Village Defense Committee member, an ex-serviceman and four civilians were killed in various incidents of violence across the state.
July 18: Two militants, two police constables including a woman constable, surrendered militant, an army informer and a civilian were killed in various incidents of violence across the state.
July 19: An incharge police, Special Police Officer and three militant were killed in the state.
July 20: Two militants were killed in violence related incidents across the state.
July 21: Five militants, a former militant, six pilgrims of Amarnath Yatra and two civilians were killed in separate incidents of violence.
July 22: Eight army men including a brigadier, army commander, two major generals, three militants and a woman were killed in violence related incidents.
July 23: Five militants and a civilian died in violence related incidents.
July 24: Six militants, soldier, two civilians and an alleged security forces informer were killed.
July 25: Ten militants, two soldiers, security forces informer and a civilians were killed in separate incidents of violence
July 26: Six militants, soldier, two SPOs, a cop and a civilian were killed in bloodshed incidents across the state.
July 27: Four militants, soldier and a civilian were killed in violence related incidents in the state.
July 28: Nine militants, soldier and woman killed while over a dozen received injuries in violence related incidents cross the state.
July 29: A woman was allegedly killed by unidentified gunmen.
July30: Army man and a civilian were killed in separate incidents of violence across the state.
July 31: Five militants, a soldier and a civilian died in various incidents of violence across the state

S.NO.	NATURE OF CRIME	ACCUSED AGENCY	VICTIM	ORDER OF PROBE
01.	July 15: Use of excessive force against the villagers protesting against contaminated water supply at Tahab area of Pulwama district.	Police	Villagers of Tahab, Pulwama	On the same day the govt. appointed the Additional Deputy Commissioner as enquiry officer and he has been asked to submit the report within 7 days.
02.	Custodial Killing	Police of Qamarwari police station	Mushtaq Ahmad of Qamarwari-Srinagar	July 19: Govt. ordered probe
03.	Custodial Killing	Rashtriya Rifles 46	Altaf Ahmad Dar of Jalseeri Baramulla	July 19: Govt. ordered probe
04.	Custodial Killing	SOG	Bashir Ahmad Sheikh of Budgam	July 19: Govt. ordered probe
05.	Custodial Killing	Rashtriya Rifles	Ghulam Mohammad Bhat Of Khansahab Mohalla, Budgam	July 31: An enquiry has been ordered by the govt. and DC Baramulla has been appointed as enquiry officers and ordered to submit its report within 15 days.

SOLDIERS

July 1

TOTAL

Ist week

July 3

July 4

July 6

July 7

July 11

July 14

July 17

July 21

July 22

July 23

July 25

July 24

July 28

July 30

TOTAL

DATE	SOLDIERS	MILITANTS	CIVILIANS	OTHERS
July 1	2	6	1	-
July 2	1	-	4	5 (pro-govt. militants)
July 3	2	2	1	-
July 4	-	2	2	3 unidentified persons
July 5	-	5	3	-
July 6	-	5	4	-
July 7	-	1	6	2 released militants
July 8	2	2	1	1 army informer
July 9	-	-	1	1 political activist-1 ex-cop
July 10	-	4	1	-
July 11	1	4	1	-
July 12	-	3	3	-
July 13	-	8	4	1 released militant
July 14	7	8	2	-
July 15	1	6	1	-
July 16	-	2	1	-
July 17	1	5	4	1 ex-serviceman
July 18	2	2	1	1 army informer 1 surrendered
July 19	2	3	-	-
July 20	-	2	-	-
July 21	-	5	8	1 former militant
July 22	8(4 officers)	3	1	-
July 23	-	5	1	-
July 24	1	6	2	1 army informer
July 25	2	10	1	1 informer
July 26	4	6	1	-
July 27	1	4	1	-
July 28	1	9	1	-
July 29	-	-	1	-
July 30	1	5	1	-
TOTAL	39 (4 Officers)	123	59	20

DATE	EXTRA JUDICIAL EXECUTIONS	WOMEN	CHILDREN	ALLEGED DISAPPEARANCES
Ist week	-	-	-	5
July 3	-	-	-	1
July 4	-	-	-	2
July 6	-	-	2	-
July 7	-	2	-	1
July 11	-			1
July 14	2		1	-
July 17	1			-
July 21	-			1
July 22		1		-
July 23	1			1
July 25	-	-	-	2
July 24	1			-
July 28		1		-
July 30	1			-
TOTAL	6	4	3	14